“The entire nation united in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and Democrats and Republicans united in support of destroying the evil Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Last night, Mr. Rove attempted to use that important and inspiring time in our nation to try to score cheap political points.

“Mr. Rove said that he did not respond to the 9/11 attacks with moderation and restraint. None of us responded moderately to those savage and heinous terrorist attacks. However, Mr. Rove does not respond to any situation with moderation and restraint, in the slash and burn tradition of Lee Atwater, Newt Gingrich and Tom DeLay.

“Love of country and concern for the troops drive the legitimate policy questions about the prosecution of the war in Iraq. These questions are not only being raised by Democrats, but by leading Republicans and the American people. The fact of the matter is that this Administration has not presented a clear success strategy for Iraq – and the American people know it.

“It is unfortunate that a senior member of the White House staff would choose to put forth divisive and mean-spirited political rhetoric rather than help provide the American people with a strategy for success in Iraq.”

Recent Comments by Leading Republicans on the Bush Administration

SENATOR HAGEL (R-NE):
“Things aren’t getting better [in Iraq]; they’re getting worse. The White House is completely disconnected from reality. It’s like they’re just making it up as they go along. The reality is that we’re losing in Iraq.” – U.S. News and World Report this week

SENATORS WARNER (R-VA) AND STEVENS (R-AK):
President Bush was pressed by two senior Republican Senators Tuesday about the need to “make a better case” to the American people as to why the United States remains in Iraq. The Senators also expressed strong concern about overextending the National Guard and Reserves as the war on terrorism continues to be fought on several fronts. – Roll Call, June 22, 2005